Many growers understand that managing energy costs is critical to ensuring long-term success for their operations. Thankfully, there are a number of proven technological advancements that can help manage these costs. Condensing boilers, more efficient heating delivery systems, energy curtains, lighting improvements and other approaches have been widely embraced as a means of reducing overall energy usage. However, when it comes to determining how much of an effect these technologies will have, growers must usually rely on what vendors tell them, or talk with other growers and see what their results have been.

This is where an energy audit or assessment can prove extremely useful. Below are seven things you should know when considering whether to have an energy audit or assessment conducted at your facility.

1. Energy audits and energy assessments are not one and the same. Generally speaking, energy assessments are a less rigorous version of an energy audit. Depending on what level of detail is needed, both are appropriate starting points for growers to get a handle on their energy usage. If you plan on using your energy-related audit for purposes of garnering an incentive, make sure you know what level of detail is required before you begin.

2. You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Perhaps the biggest reason to have an energy audit performed is due to this common saying. Potential areas for improvement may be widespread at your facility; however, it is impossible to know which areas need the most attention if it has never been measured. All greenhouses should know their energy baseline, i.e. how much energy they use, how much it costs, and where is it being used. Energy audits will help get to the bottom of this, while energy assessments may touch on measures that can help reduce your overall usage but may not provide a complete energy profile of your facility.

3. Areas of energy consumption will be identified. Once an audit has been conducted, areas of energy consumption will be identified. In this way, owners and growers will be able to quantify the costs associated with different zones and structures. Using this information, they can make decisions about how to most cost effectively grow their product.

4. Energy conservation measures will be identified and ranked. A good auditor is trained to understand greenhouse environments and has the ability to identify projects or technologies that will not only reduce energy consumption, but meet a “reasonable” payback standard. In many cases, “reasonable” may mean that if the project pays for itself in energy savings within its operational lifetime it is deemed a good investment. However, which projects make your budget will certainly be up to you.

The audit will also allow you to compare which projects should be at the top of your improvement list. A common example of this scenario may occur when a grower is considering whether to install new, more efficient boilers or replace worn energy curtains. Both projects will obviously come at a cost, and both projects will save the grower money. However, it can be hard to tell which project is going to be the most beneficial without having an independent auditor give you the hard numbers.

5. Audits can serve as affirmation of good practice. Many growers find audits comforting in that they reinforce positive practices and approaches that are already in place. Auditors will often acknowledge areas in which growers are doing very well, with the hopes of encouraging them to do more of the same. Maybe you replaced half of a house of old, damaged unit heaters with a hot water system and wondered if you should finish the other half. Having an independent set of eyes confirm the effectiveness of your previous project can give you confidence as you move forward with future heating projects.

6. Audits are often needed to unlock energy-related incentives. Many utility and state programs require third-party audits to be conducted prior to releasing rebates for the purchase of energy-efficient equipment. Other utility programs will provide custom incentive measures based on a $/kWh or $/therm savings basis. Often this information is derived directly from the results of an energy audit.

Additionally, many utility companies and governmental agencies offer subsidized or even free energy audits through approved contractors. Contacting your utility company or account representative is a great way to find out if audit programs are available in your area.

7. Audits take time, so plan ahead. A lot of information will need to be organized and put back together. So if you want to have an audit performed to help evaluate a number of energy-saving projects in your next budget, begin planning your audit 60 to 90 days before decision making occurs.

Having an energy audit or assessment performed at your facility is very valuable for leadership to make long-term plans. If used correctly, it will allow owners to be more informed and educated about how they use energy and what options exist to help reduce costs. With all of the benefits mentioned above, maybe the time is right to have your operation evaluated. There may be thousands of dollars worth of savings just waiting to be identified.

A new educational video that provides information on the horticultural industry’s essential role in bee and pollinator stewardship is one result of industry collaboration by the Horticultural Research Institute, AmericanHort, Society of American Florists and the American Floral Endowment. “Protecting Bees & Pollinators: What Horticulture Needs to Know,” narrates the current state of bee and pollinator health, provides information on factors that impact pollinators and the environment and underscores the beneficial role horticulture plays in providing healthy pollinator ecosystems.

Vegetable breeding companies will come together this August to host the Summer Vegetable Trials in California. Like the long-standing California Spring Trials that are held annually in California, attendees will have the opportunity to visit breeding companies' trial sites in seven locations throughout the state, from August 20-21, 2015. National Garden Bureau (NGB), the non-profit organization promoting gardening on behalf of the horticulture industry, is organizing and publicizing this event on behalf of its members.

DNA Green Group and Riknplant have finalized DNA Green Group's acquisition of Rijnplant, meaning that the breeding and propagation activities in pot and cut anthurium, bougainvillea and heliconia will transfer to DNA Green Group.

From coverings to fork-lifts, greenhouse suppliers offer a variety of products to make growing easier. Check out the slideshow to learn more about these, plus several other products that can offer you value, versatility and durability.

Energy efficiency building codes that greenhouses are required to meet could soon be much more stringent, unless the National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association is successful in its bid to gain exceptions on greenhouse owners’ behalf.

North Creek Nurseries recently built a new GGS gutter connected poly greenhouse range with the intent of saving energy and implementing Lean Flow Practices. The aim was to help North Creek improve the quality of products and meet increased customer demand, while at the same time saving money on labor.

One way to reduce energy-related costs in the greenhouse is to conduct self-audits on a regular basis. These energy audits allow growers to identify potential savings by checking various production systems. To ensure your operation is running efficiently, check out these resources for help with your energy audit.

Selecting the right structure for your operation can be difficult. With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that greenhouse manufacturers are experienced in the art of matching customers with the ideal product. Here’s their advice for how to pick your next structure.

In order to meet its customer’s increasing demands for domestic blueberry production in the United States, Fall Creek Farm and Nursery needed much more indoor growing space. The company selected Conley’s for a recent expansion of Conley’s Gable Series 7500 in a two-phase project. The first 14-greenhouse range sold by distributor Horticulture Services, measures 170,000 square feet in size and finished construction in 2013.

Emerald Coast Growers, a supplier of perennial starter plants and ornamental grass liners, is not averse to expansion projects. In 2010, it celebrated its 20th anniversary with an expansion of its perennial production space. More recently, the company has been in a nearly continuous phase of construction and improvement projects.

Rebuilding and retrofitting greenhouses has been key to Armstrong Growers’ expansion on the West Coast, and Pike Farms will follow the same business model on the East Coast. The four-acre wholesale operation that is currently Pike Farms produces only about 5 percent at the most of Pike Nurseries’ retail garden center needs; however, that’s going to change in the next couple of years.

Heralded as one of the most automated greenhouse operations in the U.S., Metrolina Greenhouses continues to build in Huntersville, N.C., and York, S.C. Art Van Wingerden, chief operating officer and co-owner of Metrolina Greenhouses, estimates that as his big box customers continue to grow at a 3 to 5 percent rate, so will Metrolina Greenhouses’ growing facilities to keep up with demand.

New coverings technology means today’s films, plastics, shade cloths and climate screens slash heating and cooling costs while improving crop productivity year round. We checked with manufacturers to see what’s new and uncovered some best practices for buttoning up your greenhouse. Here’s what you need to know about the latest trends.

At least 30 percent more efficient and productive than warehouse growing, greenhouses are the way of the future for commercial cannabis production, experts say. Cannabis growers and advisors are starting to move production out of the warehouse and into the greenhouse, to benefit from the efficiencies that the sun’s natural light and environmental controls provide.

Two projects Rough Brothers worked on for Altman plants in Giddings, Texas, and Scissortail Farms in Tulsa County, Okla., show that pre-planning on the grower's part opens the way for a smooth-running expansion project.

Malfunctioning greenhouse heaters can lead to crop damage from ethylene and carbon monoxide induced illness for workers. Michigan State University's Extension educators Tom Dudek and Randy Beaudry teach you how to recognize the symptoms and check greenhouse heaters to avoid the concern.

Well-suited greenhouses that function efficiently for customers arise from involving them in the design process from start to finish. Stuppy Greenhouse Manufacturing put this philosophy on a greenhouse design for a wholesale grower looking to expand his annuals operation. The grower's needs were simple, yet daunting: design a greenhouse that delivers the perfect growing environment, but keep maintenance and operating costs low.